Quilt Raffle, needlework judging underway

Judges gathered Monday morning at the National Bank Building at the Ionia Free Fair grounds to examine the quilting, needlework and other entries for this year's fair.

Mattie Cookmattie.cook@sentinel-standard.com

Judges gathered Monday morning at the National Bank Building at the Ionia Free Fair grounds to examine the quilting, needlework and other entries for this year's fair.

The quilt featured for the 2013 Ionia Free Fair Quilt Raffle has been housed at the Ionia Independent Bank where raffle tickets are being sold prior to the Ionia Free Fair kickoff this Thursday.

This year's quilt consists of 1930s-style fabric and each square was made by local quilters. Lu Dowsett chose the fabric for the quilt and constructed the packets for each quilter. Packets typically contain instructions for the project, sizing guidelines and directions for when it must be completed.

Once a quilting packet has been obtained, the quilters use the fabric and the guidelines provided to create a square for the quilt. After the squares had been made, the squares are delivered to the First United Methodist Church Quilters of Ionia.

According to Gladys Stout, the First United Methodist Quilters quilted the material by hand.

The 2013 raffle quilt features twists on classic quilt designs, such as Sun Bonnet Sue, Tulip and Grandmother's Flower Garden. It also features a butterfly square, bow tie square and more.

Raffle tickets are currently being sold at the Ionia Independent Bank and will also be available at the National Bank Building during the Ionia Free Fair.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

"The money raised from the quilt raffle supports the prizes for entries," said Dowsett.